CHANTILLY, Va. – The Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) National Center for Remanufacturing, Resource Recovery will be presenting four training workshops during the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s (APRA) International Big R Show, which takes place Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.
Automotive parts remanufacturing is becoming more competitive every year. Progressive remanufacturers are always looking for new ways to save money through process improvements. Surface cleaning is a remanufacturing process where companies can typically find improvement opportunities due to the ever-increasing number of new chemistries and technologies available. Once identified, how does a company determine which options are most cost-effective for their operation? RIT will present “Calculating the True Cost of Cleaning” from 1:30- 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. This presentation will discuss the costs associated with cleaning and the methods used to calculate the true benefits to the organization.
Another topic that impacts every remanufacturing operation is workstation design. RIT will present its “Workstation Design for Lean Initiatives” seminar from 2:15 – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Companies can benefit from applying industrial engineering techniques for increased productivity at any station where work is performed. This seminar will focus on proper workstation design while giving examples of common problems and ways to overcome them. Insight on why fixture use or misuse can impact productivity, quality and worker safety will also be discussed. Seminar participants will gain an understanding of what should be considered and implemented for optimal workstation layout. If you feel that your current workstation designs are in need of improvement, then this seminar is for you.
Following that seminar, from 3:45 – 5 p.m., the discussion will turn to “Improving Quality – Straight to the Bottom Line.” Warranty returns. In-process scrap. Rework. Are these necessary evils? In many cases, these financial burdens can be reduced through a root cause analysis and subsequent corrective action. This seminar will focus on the processes used to analyze and troubleshoot the causes of failure to meet requirements in any shop. If you haven’t seriously explored quality improvement as a lucrative opportunity, then this seminar is for you.
Then, from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, RIT will discuss “Opportunities for Remanufacturing.” Remanufacturers often focus on their existing capabilities and customers when looking for new opportunities to advance their organization. This focus can yield excellent results, but all too often opportunities can slip by unnoticed. This presentation will cover a variety of topics, related to the automotive remanufacturing industry, which will challenge the attendees to refocus on emerging opportunities. Topics such as the momentum building around environmental sustainability will be discussed as it relates to material reuse, increased governmental awareness of remanufacturing, the turmoil in the automotive industry and current emphasis on “green economy” jobs.
For more details and updates on the 2009 International BIG R Show visit www.BIGRShow.com or call APRA Headquarters at 703-968-2772.
